News Article

Several Southern California members of the House of Representatives defended their votes on Tuesday's "fiscal cliff" bill as necessary to protect taxpayers.The House voted 257-167 to pass a Senate-approved compromise deal that stops large tax increases for 99 percent of Americans.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign it into law.

Here's reaction from some local House members:

WHAT THEY SAID

"I could not support this short-term fix which may spawn additional long-term problems, putting off until later the tough decisions on taxes and our nation's debt and deficits, while also ignoring the biggest deficit challenging America's prosperity: a jobs deficit."-- XAVIER BECERRA, D-Los Angeles, who voted no

"While not perfect, passage of the bipartisan fiscal cliff legislation delivers on several key priorities for hardworking middle-class families and shows that compromise is possible when Republicans put their oaths of office ahead of pledges to Grover Norquist."

-- KAREN BASS, D-Los Angeles, who voted yes

"After months of negotiating, every middle-class American can rest easier knowing that their taxes will not spike in 2013. The deal I voted for asks everyone to pay a fair rate while safeguarding earned benefits like Medicare and Social Security that the American people have paid into and deserve to have."

-- JUDY CHU, D-East Los Angeles, who voted yes

"Now, a compromise means everybody gave up something. I am disappointed that an extension of the payroll tax cut was not in this deal."-- JANICE HAHN, D-San Pedro, who voted yes

"I support this proposal with important reservations. Rather than shield a wartime military from further reductions, this deal leaves the force vulnerable to sequestration's devastating and arbitrary cuts ... "

-- HOWARD "BUCK" MCKEON, R-Palmdale, who voted yes

"Without this legislation, tax hikes that went into effect January 1st would have drained the paychecks of all Inland Empire taxpayers. While this bill is far from perfect, I could not allow these income tax increases, which would make it harder for families to pay their bills and hinder job creation, to remain in effect. In fact, not only does this bill lower taxes for 99percent of taxpayers and small businesses, it makes them permanent."

-- GARY MILLER, R-Brea, who voted yes

"Although I am gratified we were able to find a way to compromise to protect hardworking Americans and those working hard to find employment, I am disappointed that we have yet to reach agreement on further efforts to get the economy moving and create jobs.

-- LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, D-Commerce, who voted yes

"Congresswoman Sanchez voted to permanently extend middle-class tax cuts ... While she wished that there were more revenues involved, this bill does extend unemployment insurance to the 2 million Americans still looking for work.

"This bipartisan package is far from perfect, but it does protect middle-class tax cuts, raise important new revenues and make the tax code more progressive. Most important, it avoids the body blow to the economy that would have accompanied going over the 'cliff."'

-- ADAM SCHIFF, D-Pasadena, who voted yes

"The alternative - doing nothing - was really not an option. Keeping middle-class tax cuts in place during this ongoing recession was really the top priority."

-- BRAD SHERMAN, D-Sherman Oaks, who voted yes

"I voted for the bill because I thought it was important to make sure we wouldn't have an increase on taxes on the middle class, and raise additional revenues to help lower the deficit by asking the people in the top income brackets to pay higher taxes."